Genetic Code & mRNA translation Flashcards
What does thymine pair with in RNA?
uracil
Describe the characteristics of the genetic code
non-overlapping, universal, degenerate, triplet code
Why is the genetic code degenerate?
a single amino acid is made by more than one codon
What is the advantage of the code being degenerate?
Tolerance to mutations
What are the most frequently occurring amino acids?
arginine, leucine and serine
What are the stop codons?
UAA, UAG and UGA
What is the function of transfer RNA?
incorporate correct amino acid residues
Describe the characteristics of tRNA
adaptor, bifunctional, specific to one amino acid
What corresponds to each codon on mRNA?
anti-codon on tRNA
Describe wobble base pairing
pairing between two nucleotides in RNA molecules that does not follow Watson-Crick base pair rules
Why does wobble base pairing occur?
one tRNA can recognise more than 1 codon
Describe the characteristics of the ribosome
mRNA decoder, protein factory, small and large subunits,
rRNA,
What are the three sites in ribosomes?
A, P and E
What does the E site stand for in ribosomes?
Exit
What subunit catalyses the peptide bond? (ribosomes)
large 60s subunit